Thursday, July 5, 2012

Summer starts today (and handmade teacher gifts).

But mentally, for me, summer doesn't begin until the kids are on school holidays. Given today is their last day of school, summer starts tonight!

Like last year, I made covered journals for the kids' teachers (adapting Ros at Bloom's très formidabletutorial).

Again, I thought I was really clever to choose the pens first and then match the fabric to the pens, rather than vice versa. (The elastic is actually lingerie elastic - they have it in such lovely colours.)

Once I got my journals home from the shops and took off their plastic wraps I found a new challenge: coloured inner covers. Eep, they didn't have those last year.

A more thorough stash hunt was required to find fabric that would match both the pens and the inner covers. (I won't complain too much though, any excuse to fondle my stash...)

Here's (one of) my summer vices: Hoegaarden has just released a new beer - rosée.

It's very delicately flavoured with raspberry and is as refreshing as an ice cube down the back of your shirt.

Isn't it the most lovely colour?

Enjoy your summer! (Sending lots of summery vibes to everyone back home in Australia and everyone else in the southern hemisphere, too.)

Goodness, we sure need those summer vibes here in Melbourne. We got home from Europe last Thursday and the chill has crept into my bones.I loved Aix-en-Provence and St. Paul de Vence and loved the south of France generally. I just missed the lavender in flower, maybe next visit....Loving your covered journals, just gorgeous.Enjoy your summer,Anne xx

Love those journals. It makes me want to be your kids' teacher! Except I'd probably make the worst teacher ever! I'll just leave that up to Fred.But yeah, I could go for a Hoegaarden right about now. Although that name kind of sounds like a backyard where hookers hang out!Your Friend, m.

I love your journals, as always they're really beautiful! It's nice to hear you have such great weather! Here it's warm and sunny, too. Finally! :-) I love the classic Hoegaarden beer and the new one sounds delicious! I hope it will find it's way to Finland.

Today has brought some cool wet weather to Brisbane, so your warm sunny greetings are more than welcome Kirsty. I love the pic of the lavender...I can imagine that glorious whiff of the oils that are relaeased into the hot atmosphere.

Your journal covers are très magnifique ;) You must have the best fabric stash. Love the teal one with the ornate medallion print. You'd better stash up on the lingerie elastic before you come home. I'm sure I've never seen it here - other than in a very attractive skin-beige! Perfect for the job.